The Czech Republic and Slovakia are two countries that since the advent of the market economy have been recording the most interesting developments in the Central and Eastern Europe. These countries have been enjoying further significant strengthening of their economies since their accession to the European Union in 2004.

“Czech Republic has been evaluated as the most successfully transforming country from 125 observed from all over the world according to a prestigious Bertelsmann Transformation Index 2008".

Geographical neighborhood, economic system stability, and competitive tax policy within the scope of the EU - from 2000 to 2008 - have supported significant growth rates and continuous decrease in unemployment which is among to the lowest in the European Union. Development of market economy after the fall of communism supports progress of new consumer models, new lifestyle and culture.

With regards to industrial investments key factors of competitiveness have always been cost of labor and energy, strategic location, accessibility and technical capacities of local employees. This all leads to inflow of important foreign investment in the Czech Republic and Slovakia especially in production, automobile industry and in the real estate business. In recent years the position of the automobile production, electronic parts production, power utilities and logistic centers has been strengthened. Therefore the impetus has been given to continuously building up a network of local and foreign investments in production. Economic conditions and opening of new markets led to creation of new small and medium enterprises that need production plants.

The origin and development of the new middle class and the development of the tourist industry gave impetus for new local and foreign businesses establishments. Also for this kind of activities it becomes more and more necessary to create living areas and infrastructure in the city centers as well as in the suburban areas.

Located in the heart Europe allows the businesses entering these markets to grow and gain competitive advantage on an international scale and capitalize on these markets.

www.mpo.cz - Ministry of Industry and Trade CZ
www.economy.gov.sk – Ministry of Economy SK
www.czechinvest.org - Agency for Investment and Business CZ
www.sario.sk - Slovak Agency for Development of Investment and Trade
www.komora.cz - Chamber of Commerce CZ
www.spk.sk – Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry
www.businessinfo.cz - economic portal
www.cnb.cz - Czech National Bank
www.nbs.sk – Slovak National Bank
www.czso.cz - Czech Statistical Office
www.statistics.sk- Slovak Statistical Office
www.czechtradeoffices.com - Czech Agency for Foreign Markets
www.fpzo.sk – Slovak Agency for Foreign Markets
www.akcie.cz - Czech Stock Exchange
www.uft.sk – Slovak Financial Market Authority
www.camitslovakia.sk – Slovak-Italian Chamber of Commerce